First reactions to the Tour route

Kim Andersen, the directeur sportif of CSC said that "It is definitely a good route for us. It's...

Kim Andersen, the directeur sportif of CSC said that "It is definitely a good route for us. It's going to be a very open race, even though we would have liked to have a team time trial and a prologue. But I am sure that the route gives us very good opportunities."

Andersen added that "We are going to have an extremely good team, and we are going to have a number of different cards to play in the overall classification... and because the route also offers a number of semi-tough stages which are perfect for breakaways. We are also sure to have the chance of a stage win in the course of the race."

Andersen concluded on the team's web site, team-csc.com that "One thing's for sure: It's going to be an extremely fascinating race for the public, and I guarantee that we are going to be at the start line with a team that will be up to the competition."

Rolf Aldag of T-Mobile also commented on the route via the team's web site, www.t-mobile-team.com and said that "Without a prologue, the sprinters will have a chance to challenge for the yellow jersey right away. Many mountain stages are relatively short, but they get straight down to business with early climbs. This could cause problems for riders to get home within the time limit. But the GC riders will have to be ready to race right from the start. That will definitely mean that we will need carefully lay plans in terms of nutrition and tactics for each individual stage." He also noted, "The lack of time bonuses will make the first week less nervous," and that "The absence of transfers is a big relief for everybody."

Hans-Michael Holczer, manager of Gerolsteiner, was content with the route. "This helps to take out the spice of the route. That was an idea from the teams. Shorter stages, shorter transfers. That is very pleasant."

The lack of time bonuses is good, according to Holczer. "It will be less likely that breakaways will be riding ten minutes ahead of the peloton for four hours."